Method and apparatus for drawing metal



April 14, 1942. A. slMoNs METHQD AND APPARATUS FOR DRAWING METAL I Filed April 27, 1.940

Patented Apr. 14,1942

METHOD AND APPARATUS Foa DnAwmG METAL Aaron Simons, Bronx, N. Y.

Application April 27, 1940, Serial No. 331,904

' 1s claims. s (c1. 205-3) This invention relates to machines for drawing metal strips, sheets and the like between rotatable die members'or rolls of extremely small di;- ameter adjustable toward and from each other to control the reduction in the workpiece drawn i through the apparatus; and the object of the invention is to provide an apparatus of the chary acter described wherein the die members or rolls are restrained against bending in any direction,l

and are reciprocated longitudinally of their. axes in opposite directions while rotating on their axes, and wherein longitudinal friction bearings m11. with this construction and method, it win' appear that not only is the frictional surface resistance between the rolls andthe workpiece material reduced, but the frictional surface reor backings are 'provided for the die members or rolls which bearings reciprocate longitudinally of the axes of the rolls and in directions opposite to the reciprocatingmovement imparted to their respective associated rolls, thereby controlling frictional relationship in an apparatus of the class described; a further object being to provide an apparatus of the character described wherein thecombined reciprocatory movement of the die members or rolls and their respective bearings or backings maintain a constant support for the rolls throughout the working length of said rolls; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the method of producing strips or sheets of the character defined and in the apparatus as more fully hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate` parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig, l is a diagrammatic sectional view through a part of an apparatus or rolling mill made according to my invention.

FiFig. 2 is a partial section on the line 2-2 of Fig. 3 is a partial section on the line 3 3 of Fig. 1; and A y FiFig. 4 is a partial section on the line 4-4 of The distinctive features of my novel method of drawing strip or sheet material and in the apparatus for performing this method, resides in the use of not only reciprocating and rotating die members or rolls, but also in utilizing longitudinal friction bearings or .backings for the rolls which are also reciprocated in directions opposite to the reciprocating movement imparted to the associated rolls supported and backed thereby. In other words, the bearing or backing of one m11 reciprocates simultaneously with the opposed sistance between the roll and its bearing or backing is also reduced, thereby facilitating the rotation of the rolls and the operation of drawing the workpiece between the die members or rolls. This method of Vprocedure and mode of operating the several parts will also produce smoother or more perfectly nished drawn products. This operation will also further facilitate the greater reduction in thickness between the workpiece and the drawn product, thereby minimizing the number of passes required.

'In order to simplify the illustration of the invention, I have diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 1 of the drawing a sectional view through a part of a machine substantially of the type and kind illustrated in my prior application, Ser. No. 269,374, led April 22, 1939, and have shown only such parts of the machine as are necessary to illustrate the operation of the new method and the structure employed for carrying out this method. l

In the drawing, I0 represents a motor driven shaft supported in a suitable base or frame II of the machine, only part of which is illustrated. The shaft alsopasses through a housing I2 within which is arranged a small gear I3 on the shaft III for driving two large gears I4, only one of which is shown. The gears I4 are employed to drive drums in pulling a workpiece through the machine in two directions so as to provide a machine in a successive series or operations.

Suitable means are provided to clutch the two gears I4 in driving position with respect to the drum shafts employed.

A shaft I5 is arranged longitudinally of the top of the frame II and is directly driven from thet shaft I0 through a sprocket and chain drive as at I6, or in any other manner. The shaft I5 is supported in a housing II and also passes through a bearing plate I8 and through a die block I9.

Arranged within the housing I'I u'pon a shaft 20 is an oblique cylinder or other driving element 2| for imparting back and forth reciprocating movements to rods 22, 23 coupled with projecting terminals 24 and 25 on said cylinder. The gear 26 is arranged on the shaft I5 and cooperates with a gear 21 on the shaft 20 for driving the cylinder 2 I. f

At 28 and 29 are disclosed two rotatable and reciprocating die members or rolls. Keyed to the roll 23 is a gear 30 which meshes through an intermediate gear 3| to a gear 32 mounted on the shaft |5. The gear 3| is mounted upon pivotally coupled links, as indicated in Fig. 2, to compensate for the slight vertical adjustment of the roll 23 with respect to the roll 29 in gazing the spacing between the two rolls 23 and 23 in controlling the reduction in thickness of the workpiece to be drawn between said rolls.

Keyed to the roll 23 adjacent the-bearing plate I3 is a gear 33 which meshes with a gear 34 on theshaft l5. Thus both rolls 23 and 23 yare driven from the shaft I5, as will be apparent. 'I'he roll 23 has its outer end directly coupled with a supplemental rod 22athrough a link 35. The rod 22a has a pin 33 operating freely in an aperture in the outer end of the rod 22 so as to directly couple the rod 22 with the roll 23 to impart reciprocating movement to said roll 23, while at the same time allowing vertical adjustment of the supplemental rod 22a with respect to the rod 22.

The rolls 23 and 23 are mounted in and reciprocate as well as rotate in longitudinal friction bearings or backlngs 31, 33. The backing 33 is directly coupled with the rod 22 through a link 33, the construction of which is shown in Fig. 3. whereas the backing 31 has a vertical Vsliding coupling with a forked pin 43 supported in the outer end 23a of the rod 23 as shown in Fig. 4.

, This end of the rod 23 is of O-frame construction so as to envelope and clear the bearing plate |3 as well as the gears 33 and 34 as shown in Fig. 3. The roll 23 is directly coupled with the rod 23 through a coupling link 4|. It willthus be seen that in the back and forth reciprocating movement of the rods 22 and 23 in opposite directions to each other through the medium of the cylinder 2|, the roll 23 together with the bearing or backing 33 of the roll 23, will reciprocate in the same direction and simultaneously with each other but in an opposite direction to the simultaneous movement of the roll 23 and the backing 31 of the roll 23. Diu'ing this reciprocating movement of the rolls and backings the rolls are independently rotated as will be apparent. This construction will reduce by the maximum amount the frictional surface resistance between not only the die members or rolls and their respective bearings or backings, but also between the workpiece and the die members or rolls.

Arranged upon the block l! is a stationary Support or backing 42 which seats in the block I3 and forms a suitable guide and support for the reciprocating bearing 33. At 43 is shown a vertically adjustable block in connection with which is supported a corresponding support 44 for the reciprocating roll bearing 31. In all cases. the baekingsl or bearings for the rolls will extend throughout the full working length of the reciprocating rolls. f The block 43 is adjusted vertically through `the lmedium of a hand wheel 45 on a shaft 45a having worms `or the like for rotating worm wheels 43 arranged upon vertical screw rods 41 which are coupled with the block 43, as in the prior application hereinbefore referred. to. This adjustment of the block carries with it the roll 23 including the backing 31, and regulates the spacing between the rolls 23 and 23. While this adjustment is relatively small, it will, in diiferent sized machines, care for workpieces of the different thicknesses handled.

As previously stated, the illustrations in the accompanying drawing are more or le digrammatic simply to show the common means or drive for imparting the back and forth reciprocating motion to both the rolls and the backings for the rolls. while at the same time showing the means for rotating the rolls, all operated between the rolls. At this time, it will be,under stood, however, that independent sources of power may be utilized for actuating the drawing of the workpiece, and the other operative mechanisms of the machine, particularly in certain types and kinds of machines. One feature' of a machine made according to my invention, and advantage of the novel method of drawing workpieces, resides in the fact that the movements imparted to the rolls and bearings or backings thereofproduces finished surfaces on the drawn product which are smooth and unmarred because the working rolls are constantly maintained in motion.

Having fully described my invention, what I claniis as new and desire to secure by Letters Paten l. In a rolling mill .for reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, a pair of working rolls arranged in parallel relation, a pair of backings forming supports for said working rolls and extending substantially the full operative length of said rolls, means for reciprocating the 2. In a rolling mill, a pair of working rolls,

supporting bearings for said working rolls, and means for reciprocating said supporting bearings parallel to the axis of said rolls and for simultaneously reciprocating the rolls in said bearings in directions opposite thereto to reduce friction between said bearings and said rolls.

3. In a rolling mill, a pair of working rolls, supporting bearings for said working rolls, means for reciprocating said supporting bearings parallel to the axis of said rolls and for simultaneously reciprocating-the rolls in said bearings in directions opposite theretofto reduce friction between said bearings and said rolls, and means for rotating saidrolls while reciprocating the same.

4. In a rolling mill, a pair of working rolls, supporting bearings for said working rolls, means for reciprocating said supporting bearings parallel to the axis of said rolls and for simultaneously reciprocating the rolls in said bearings in directions opposite to the direction of movement of their respective bearings, means for rotating said rolls while reciprocating the same, and means for adjusting one of the working rolls toward and from the other to regulate spacing between said rolls.

5. An apparatus for drawing elongated workpieces to reduce the thickness thereof, comprising apair ot elongated die members, means for dr'awing the workpiece between said die members, a longitudinal friction bearing for each die member extending throughout the operative length thereof, means for reciprocating the die members in opposite directions to each other while reciprocating the bearing for each die member simultaneously in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of its die member and longitudinally of the axis of the die member.

6. An apparatus for drawing elongated workpieces to reduce the thickness thereof, comprising a pair of elongated die members, means for drawing the workpiece between said die members, a longitudinal friction bearing for each die member extending throughout the operative length thereof, means for reciprocating the die members in opposite directions to each other while reciprocating the bearing for each die member simultaneously in a direction oppositev to the direction of movement of its die member and longitudinally of the axis of the die member, and means for rotating said die members in their respective bearings.

7. An apparatus for drawing elongated workpieces to reduce the thickness thereof, comprising a pair of elongated die members, means for drawing the workpiece between said 'die members, a longitudinal friction bearing for each die member extending throughout the operative length thereof, means for reciprocating the die members in opposite directions to each other while reciprocating the bearing for each die member simultaneously in a direction opposite to the direction `of movement'of its die member and longitudinally of the axis of the die member, means for rotating said die membersin their respective bearings, and means coupling the bearing of each die member with the opposed die member to provide synchronized reciprocating movement of said bearings and die members.

8. An apparatus for drawing elongated workpieces to reduce the thickness thereof, comprising a pair of elongated die members, means for drawing the workpiece between said die members, a longitudinal friction bearing for each die member extending throughout the operative length thereof, means for` reciprocating the die members in opposite directions to eachy other while reciprocating the bearing for each die member simultaneously in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of its die member and longitudinally of the axis of the die member, means for rotating said die members in their `respective bearings, and means adjusting the relative spacing of the die members one with respect to the other.

9. An apparatus for drawing elongated workpieces to reduce the thickness thereof, comprising a pair of elongated die members, means for drawing the workpiece between said die members, a longitudinal friction bearing for each die member extending throughout the operative length thereof, means for reciprocating the die members in opposite directions to each other while reciprocating the bearing for each die member simultaneously in a direction opposite to the direction of movement of its die member and longitudinally of the axis of the die member, means for rotating said die members in their respective bearings, means adjustingthe relative spacing of the die members one with respect to' the other, and stationary supports in which said reciprocating bearings are mounted.

its operative length, moving the die supports parallel to the axis of the dies while moving said dies along the axes thereof indirections opposed to the movement of their respective supports, simultaneously rotating the dies in the supports in controlling frictional relationship While pulling a workpiece through the' dies, and backing said supports throughout the operative length of 10. 'I'he method of reducing the thickness o f of supporting each 'of a pair of dies throughout its operative length, moving the die supports parallel to the axis of the dies while movingfsaid dies along the axes thereof in directions opposed an elongated workpiece, which includes the steps to the movemen-L of their respective supports, and

said dies.

12. The method of reducing thethickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a, workpiece between a pair of die members, supporting the die members throughout their operative length, rotating the die members in their supports, decreasing the frictional surface resistance between said die members and their respective supports by reciprocating ythe die members and their respective supports in opposite directions to each other longitudinally of the axes of the die members, while the die members are reciprocated in'opposite directions to each other.

13. The method of controlling frictional relationship in a pull-mill, which includes the steps of supporting the working rolls throughout their operative length, moving the working roll supports parallel to the axis of the rolls, and moving the rolls along their axisso that each working roll moves in a direction opposed to the direction of movement of its support. 14. The method of operating a strip mill, which includes the steps of supporting the working rolls throughout their operative length, reciprotion of their respective supports, and rotating-v said rolls while pulling the strip through said working rolls. i

16. The method of'reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between a pair of rotatable elements adjusted relatively to each other,"

to control spacing between said elements, supporting said elements throughout their operative length; reciprocating the supports longitudinally 4of the axes of said elements while simultaneouslyreciprocating said elements in their supports in directions opposite to the direction of movement of their respective supports, thereby decreasing the frictional surface resistance between said supports and said elements.

A17. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a'workpiece between a pair oi' rotatable elements adjusted relatively to each other to control spacing between said elements, supporting said elements throughout their operative length, reciprocating the supports longitudinally of the axes of said elements while simultaneously reciprocating said elements in their lsupports l in directions opposite to the direction of movement 'of their respective supports, thereby decreasing the frictional surface resistance between said elements and the workpiece.

18. The method of reducing the thickness of an elongated workpiece, comprising mechanically drawing a workpiece between a pair of rotatable elements adjusted relatively to eachother to control spacing between said elements, supporting said elements throughout theiroperative length, reciprocating the supports in bearings likewise extending throughout the operative .v length of said elements, said reciprocation being in a direction longitudinal of the axes of said eleworkpiece.

AARON SIMONS. 

